Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a new law requiring permits for operating self-driving vehicles, just ahead of Tesla’s planned robotaxi trial in Austin on Sunday.

Although the law doesn’t take effect until September 1, its approval signals bipartisan concern about the rapid rollout of autonomous technology, according to Reuters.

Tesla and Governor Abbott’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The legislation represents a notable shift from Texas’s earlier hands-off approach to autonomous vehicles.

A 2017 state law had explicitly barred local governments from regulating self-driving cars, making Texas one of the most permissive states for AV testing.

In the lead-up to the trial, Tesla invited a select group of online influencers to participate in a limited, closely supervised robotaxi pilot.

The company plans to deploy 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles within a restricted area of Austin.

By signing the bill, the governor has put Tesla in a bind—either go ahead with its robotaxi trial or risk having to shut it down before the law takes effect on September 1.

Under the new law, companies must secure approval from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before operating autonomous vehicles without a human driver on public roads.

The law also grants state authorities the power to revoke permits if a driverless vehicle is found to “endanger the public.”

Additionally, it requires companies to share protocols with law enforcement and first responders for handling their autonomous vehicles during emergencies.